Billboard published an inside look at the Recording Academy’s 2026 Special Merit Awards ceremony, where Eddie Palmieri was recognized with a Trustees Award alongside Bernie Taupin and Sylvia Rhone. The ceremony took place January 31, 2026, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles and served as the Recording Academy’s annual pre-Grammy celebration honoring lifetime and career-spanning contributions to music.

In its coverage, Billboard noted that Palmieri—widely regarded as a foundational figure in Latin music—was honored posthumously less than six months after his passing at age 88. The article places Palmieri among a distinguished group of honorees recognized for long-term impact across genres, including Lifetime Achievement Award recipients such as Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Whitney Houston, and Fela Kuti.

The Special Merit Awards highlight contributions across performance, leadership, and innovation. Trustees Awards specifically recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the recording field beyond performance, underscoring Palmieri’s influence not only as a pianist and bandleader, but also as a composer, arranger, and cultural innovator whose work helped define the sound and global reach of salsa, Latin jazz, and Afro-Caribbean music.

Billboard reported that Palmieri’s daughter, Eydie Palmieri, accepted on his behalf and described him with a wide-ranging list of roles and qualities, reflecting both his musical brilliance and his broader cultural impact.

Billboard’s recap situates Palmieri’s recognition within a larger moment of industry reflection and celebration—highlighting how his work continues to be honored at the highest levels of the music world and remains central to the story of modern recorded music.

Source: Paul Grein, “Inside Grammy’s Special Merit Awards, Where Chaka Khan, Cher, RAYE, Whitney Houston & More Were Honored,” Billboard, February 1, 2026.
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